Menino keeps quiet on Warren

The Boston Globe takes a dive into the implications of what a non-endorsement by Democratic Mayor Tom Menino of fellow Democrat Elizabeth Warren would mean in her Senate race against Sen. Scott Brown:

In an interview last week, Menino reiterated what he sees as the strength of both candidates. He described Brown as a gifted retail politician who excels at relating to everyday people on the campaign trail, a trait Menino sees in himself. Warren, Menino said, has “great credentials and understands the issues.’’

In previous campaigns, the mayor has not gotten behind a general election candidate until September or October, and an endorsement in this Senate race would be “a long way off,’’ Menino said. He dismissed a question about pressure from Washington to toe the party line, and suggested he has been ignored by leaders of his own party.

“National Democrats don’t call me, that’s for sure,’’ Menino said. “I don’t hear from any of those guys. They know I’m an independent on these issues, and I think what I do politically is best for the people of Boston.’’

That leaves both candidates courting Menino.

“I’m out there working for every vote, including the mayor,’’ Warren said last week at a groundbreaking for an East Boston library. “I call him. Yes, I have put him on speed dial. There are few people who understand politics and elections better than the mayor, and I ask for his counsel frequently.’’

And yet, Menino, as the piece suggests, has been wooed aggressively by Brown. His endorsement is not always predictive of a win (and tends to come late in the cycle anyway). But he has a tested machine, and would a boost for first-time candidate Warren.